Written by

Gregory Korte
and Jackie Kucinich

Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Pat Toomey, R-Pa., announced a compromise bill Wednesday that would expand background checks for gun buyers, possibly paving the way for votes this week on a key piece of legislation aimed at reducing gun violence.

"I don't consider criminal background checks to be gun control. It's just common sense," Toomey said. "If you pass ... you get to buy a gun. It's the people who fail that we don't want having guns."

The deal would expand background checks to purchases made at gun shows and online sales of firearms. It would impose penalties on states that do not add ...